Smock, Windproof, 1942 Pattern (the original 'SAS smock'), but made in Ventile in 2026!

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Ventile....there's a good reason to use tape instead of cord, it doesn't rub the channel into a line of holes where it gathers.

Double layers...they're very good on hood, shoulders and arms if you're working in them the inner layer still breathes while the outer one gets saturated and soaks itself tight. You have to use matching thread so that it swells to fill the stitch holes.
Double ventile is a pain in the backside to dry though.
 
Very nice work and good design modifications, ive a repro WW2 SAS smock in cotton and it’s a nice smock. Ive often thought of modifying it meself, full length pit zips would be one for sure.
 
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Reactions: Toddy
Inspired by this, and having thought that I really didn't need another jacket, I looked at the Helikon-Tex smocks and found that I could get a brown one on sale very cheap, £50-odd.

....I then thought that I would enjoy modifying an army one more than buying a good one off the shelf.

I looked at used desert DPM smocks and found a former RAF one for less than £16 posted.

I have removed the badges, added more cord locks, dyed it dark brown, reduced the volume & shortened the front (and re-inserted the wire) of the gigantic hood and ordered some zips for the pits.
 
Just finished this!

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It is spot-on per the original;

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But with a couple of small deviations;

-I made it in Antique Brone Ventile L24
-it does not have any double layers anywhere (originals have them on the shoulders and lower abdomen panels), as I find Ventile loses a lot of breathability with two layers and this smock has no vents at all (I wanted the correct looks)
-I shifted the lower pockets up a touch. Some other originals also have them a bit higher, and that helps the pockets clear a modern rucksack's hip belt and ride above them.

The white cotton tape is probably a bit too much, considering swapping those to cotton cord and leather adjusters.

Other than that, really enjoyed making the pattern and putting it together! Next steps are to try to hand-paint a length of fabric in the original 'brush stroke' camo and make a camo version.

I even ordered printed labels that match the originals The printed ones that arrived are a bit shiny and white, so maybe soak them in tea and vinegar, then spray a matte acrylic varnish. Or just forget about it and let it get dirty

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Very nice, quality workmanship
 
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Reactions: CLEM
Inspired by this, and having thought that I really didn't need another jacket, I looked at the Helikon-Tex smocks and found that I could get a brown one on sale very cheap, £50-odd.

....I then thought that I would enjoy modifying an army one more than buying a good one off the shelf.

I looked at used desert DPM smocks and found a former RAF one for less than £16 posted.

I have removed the badges, added more cord locks, dyed it dark brown, reduced the volume & shortened the front (and re-inserted the wire) of the gigantic hood and ordered some zips for the pits.
Any photos of your finished/re-finished smock???
 

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